Bush proposal by Conaway makes sense

Midland Reporter-Telegram

Published 6:00 pm, Wednesday, February 11, 2009

We fully support U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway's effort to rename the courthouse portion of the George H. Mahon Federal building to the "George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush United States Courthouse and George Mahon Federal Building."

While the name is a bit cumbersome, it is more than appropriate and will give the city recognition for being the former home of two presidents. Conaway has filed a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that officially would switch the name of the downtown structure.

Conaway's effort has drawn support from all Texans in the House with the exception of Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin. Currently, the outside of the building says it's the George H. Mahon Federal Building and United States Courthouse. In addition to the 20 Texas Republicans and 11 Texas Democrats, House members from various parts of Minnesota, California and other states have also signed onto the bill.

Aside from the George W. Bush Childhood home, this would be the first structure in Midland named after George W. Bush. An elementary school was named after George H.W. Bush in Midland when it opened in 1989.

While there are probably other opportunities in the community where we could attach the Bush monikers, we think the federal building is an appropriate site to honor the two former presidents and former Midland residents.

We don't know of any other city our size in the United States that has been the home of two presidents. That alone is quite a legacy to embrace and we should do it enthusiastically. We appreciate the efforts of Congressman Conaway in Washington and we applaud the idea that came from Federal District Judge Robert Junell.

Despite some low poll numbers, the two Bush men are still vastly popular in West Texas, including their former home town. We also are honored to have been the former home of two former first ladies in Barbara and Laura Bush. We think it would also be appropriate to find a place where their names could be enshrined in a proper fashion.

We also agree with the decision to keep the name of George Mahon on the federal building. After all, the contributions of Mahon to West Texas are undeniable. We remain thankful for his service as a Democratic congressman from 1934 to 1978. Mahon was a giant in his day when there was still such a thing as a conservative Democrat.

This effort is the perfect blend for Midland and we wish Congressman Conaway luck in getting this pushed through the House.